# Surgical Management of a Rare Complication of Mastoidectomy: A Retroauricular Cutaneous-Mastoid Fistula

## TL;DR

This paper describes a rare surgical complication after mastoidectomy and its successful treatment using a specific surgical technique.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel surgical approach for managing a rare retroauricular cutaneous-mastoid fistula.

## Key findings

- A successful surgical intervention using the temporomastoid periosteum closed the fistula.
- The procedure resulted in improved hearing and elimination of infection.
- The approach is proposed as a viable solution for this rare complication.

## Abstract

Our goal was to describe a case of a rare complication that developed as a result of multiple surgical interventions over the years due to chronic mastoiditis - specifically, a pathological connection between a retroauricular skin defect and the mastoid cavity - and its surgical management. Based on subjective and objective findings, a surgical intervention was planned, including radical cavity obliteration and closure of the cutaneous-mastoid fistula using the temporomastoid periosteum. The surgery was successfully completed, resulting in improved hearing and the elimination of the infectious focus.